Police in Exeter working hard to improve the city and keep everyone safe

Police officers in Exeter have pledged to keep communities safe in the run up to Christmas.

Neighbourhood teams are out and about to reassure residents and visitors to the city and take action against those who plan to cause problems for others or commit crime.

As part of this work police have recently been granted a closure order for a residential property in Taunton Close, following reports of anti-social behaviour and violence.

It comes after Devon & Cornwall Police satisfied a district judge that a closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 was necessary. Two people who lived at the address have left and Exeter City Council has taken possession of the flat.  

The order, which runs for three months, is in place to prevent disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises and is due to a serious nuisance to the public or disorder nearby.  The order is needed to prevent the behaviour from continuing, recurring or occurring.

Inspector Nathan Johnson, who heads up neighbourhood policing in Exeter city centre said: “This is an important step following reports from members of the public who were being intimidated and upset by the behaviour of others. We work with partners to tackle this kind of anti-social and nuisance behaviour and we are fortunate that Exeter has a specific lawyer who deals with ASB cases and helps us get results.       

“My teams have been working very hard over the last few months to make sure that we listen to concerns and deal with any crimes that are taking place. Due to our partnership approach and building local networks we are getting results - people tell me they have noticed a real improvement in certain areas such as Cathedral Green and South Street.”

Inspector Johnson continued: “We want law-abiding members of the public to enjoy our open spaces in the city and feel reassured they can use any area they choose to without having to put up with anti-social behaviour and intimidation. We want the public to feel safe and are thankful for the information and intelligence the community gives us which helps us to target our efforts in the correct areas.

“Exeter has a large number of visitors, especially at this time of year and we are pleased to welcome so many people to this fantastic city. The Cathedral Christmas market runs for a month and begins on Friday 15 November; we will be carrying out regular patrols to meet the public and make sure everyone has a good time. We are supported by the Exeter Community Safety Officers who have been brilliant.”

Exeter is one of the areas in Devon and Cornwall that has been given extra funding by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to carry out hotspot foot patrols in key areas. The project means police officers and Police Community Support Officers can work extra shifts on top of their normal coverage to tackle anti-social behaviour and continue to engage with residents and businesses. Exeter city centre also has a state-of-the-art CCTV system to keep shoppers safe and help police gather evidence if a crime has taken place.      

Police in Exeter can also use their powers to deal with nuisance behaviour and reclaim contested spaces thanks to Exeter City Council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). PSPOs were introduced as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and impose conditions or restrictions on people using that area. Those who flout the rules may be fined.

On Monday 11 November the Neighbourhood Support Team, led by Sergeant Andrew Walton, carried out foot patrols as part of a Safer Business Action day (SaBA). This joint working was with Exeter City Council Community Safety Team, Exeter Business Against Crime (EBAC) and the council CCTV control room. The operation involved engagement with local businesses and known prolific offenders as a deterrent.

One PSPO Dispersal and four PSPO alcohol confiscations took place, along with three incidents of possession of New Psychoactive Substances (so-called ‘legal highs’); the substances were seized for destruction. Officers also gathered four Intel submissions which is information that may be used to prevent or detect crime.

Police also executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Friday 8 November in Market Street, Exeter, and arrested three men on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. They were taken into police custody and a quantity of suspected Class A and other drugs was recovered from the premises. One man aged 43 from Torquay was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug - Class A heroin. He appeared at Exeter Magistrates Court on Mon 11 November and was remanded in custody.    

The other two men arrested, who are both aged in their 20s and from Exeter, have been released on police bail until the new year pending further investigations.      

To see updates on policing in the city please follow the Exeter Police Facebook page.

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